History of Photography Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Course

PHTC-1313-001 History of Photography

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: ARTS 2356

Course Description

A historical survey of the technical and aesthetic development of photography. Topics include the beginnings of the medium, inventors, development of photographic equipment, styles of the creative masters, aesthetic themes and the social impact of photography.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Disappearing Witness: Change in Twentieth-Century American Photography
By Gretchen Garner

Supplies

1) 25 sheet 8x10 pack of darkroom paper: suggested brand - Ilford, RC, Multigrade, glossy surface

1 Vivid Light Magenta ink cartridge for Epson Stylus Photo R2880 Photo Printer, Part # T096620

Film for Visual Response format will vary for each project

Depending on projects, other supplies may be needed

Student Performance

Course Description:  A historical survey of the technical and aesthetic development of photography. Topics include the beginnings of the medium, inventors, development of photographic equipment, styles of the creative masters, aesthetic themes, and the social impact of photography. (WECM)

End-of-Course Outcomes:  Describe the aesthetic and technical evolution of photography; distinguish and identify historic and contemporary image makers; and perform research on a photography or historic theme. (WECM)

Specific Student Outcomes:

Students will

• Demonstrate knowledge of photographers, processes, and trends in the history of photography
• Conduct research utilizing library and internet resources
• Identify compositional devices used in photography
• Analyze photographs using appropriate terminology and articulate these thoughts effectively in writing (and/or in oral presentation)
• Understand and refrain from plagiarism
• Present work for grading in a professional manner, as directed by the instructor
• Participate meaningfully in critique
• Maintain a professional and respectful attitude
• Maintain classroom facilities and shared supplies

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

General

AC Connect (Blackboard) Online

The syllabus, assignment sheets, modules, and other documents are located on the AC Connect (Blackboard) website for this course. Students should contact AskAC with questions regarding log in. Students are responsible for downloading and printing documents as needed. Lecture comprehension and participation is greatly improved by reading the assigned material and reviewing assignment sheets before each lecture. Each week there is a module associated with the lecture; students are required to read assigned materials, watch videos, finish activities, and take the quizzes, etc. in each module. Grades are posted on a regular basis and should be reviewed by the student.

Attendance Policy

In order for students to complete this course successfully, it is necessary to attend the class and participate in exercises, discussions, and other activities scheduled each day. Because the instructor cannot possibly know the reason why a student missed class, there is no distinction between excused and unexcused absences. Material covered in class cannot be “made-up” and students should expect to do poorly on test questions and exercises related to topics discussed on missed days. It is recommended that students get class notes from other students for any missed classes. In order to be fair to students that do attend classes, the instructor cannot copy course notes or provide private tutoring sessions to individual students who miss class. It is not necessary to contact the instructor regarding absences, or to ask permission.

Critique Policy

In order to provide each person with a thoughtful critique of their work, all other activities must stop once a critique begins, and students need to engage in the critique process. So that everyone feels comfortable expressing their ideas about images, students need to listen to each other and respect varying viewpoints. To ensure students are able to hear all comments about their work, refrain from private conversations and direct all comments to the group discussion. Student projects not completed by the start of critique are late. (Refer to “Late Work Policy” for details) In fairness to those who completed their projects on time, please set aside incomplete projects so as not to distract from the critique. Unfortunately, the course schedule does not allow time to provide late projects with a group critique; the instructor will assess late work on the appropriate grading rubric.

Email Policy

All students are assigned an email account by Amarillo College that can be accessed through

Gmail. For correspondence with the instructor, please use rwest@actx.edu. The instructor, and Amarillo College, will use the AC student Gmail accounts and AC Online for correspondence with students. For this reason, students are responsible for checking these accounts on a regular basis, and may want to forward email to their personal addresses.

Participation Policy

Students are expected to participate effectively in class discussions, labs, critiques, and activities during each class. Because student engagement plays a crucial role in learning, all students must attend every scheduled class. Students are allowed two absences without penalty. Three absences will result in a full letter grade deduction on the final grade for the course (an "A" becomes a "B"), at five absences there is a two letter grade deduction (an "A" becomes a "C"), and after 6 absences the student earns a failing grade in the course. Arriving late or leaving early (during lectures, demonstrations, and critiques) will count as one absence every third time.

Technology

Cell phones and unrelated computer use detract from the learning environment. The following are examples of inappropriate use of technology during lectures, demonstrations, and critiques: checking email, texting, social network sites, making photographs during lecture, headphones, working on projects unrelated to class, etc.

 

Coursework & Exams

 

Discussion Board Policy This is a hybrid course that meets once a week, discussion boards are the driving force of the on-line component for learning. Students must actively participate in the weekly conversation about photography that occurs in the modules available through AC Connect (Blackboard). Each discussion board is active for only two weeks, which allows the online conversation to stay on topic with other course content. The two lowest discussion board grades are dropped.

Exam Policy Each module has a quiz at the end of the section that covers materials from the module. Quizzes are available on AC Connect (Blackboard). Weekly On-line Modules for the course open at 9 am on Monday mornings, and close at 11pm on Sunday evenings. Each module is open 14 days. All exams and quizzes follow this schedule, except the final exam. The two lowest quiz scores are dropped.

Homework Policy Although some open lab time is scheduled during class, successful completion of this course will require work outside of class. To receive full credit for projects students must have exercises and portfolios completed at the start of class on the scheduled due date.

Late Work Policy Projects considered on time will be ready for presentation at the beginning of class on the scheduled due date. In fairness to students who finish projects on time there are penalties for late projects. Late projects submitted within one week of the critique date receive a 20-point deduction off the project grade and for projects submitted within two weeks there is a 30-point deduction. Projects not submitted within two weeks will not be accepted, and a zero will be recorded in the grade book for this assignment. The Visual Response Portfolio must be submitted on time (this is the last critique): no late projects are accepted.

Make-up Exam Policy Tests (quizzes and exams) are available online during the module. In order to be fair to students who take the test as scheduled, failure to take tests by 11 pm on day of the exam will result in a zero for that test score. Since there are two opportunities to take the test during each module, there will be no other dates scheduled.

Department

Photography Policy Throughout the study of photography, students must make new photographs for each assignment; this ensures that students are using their cameras on a regular basis and refining their visual thinking and technical skills. Submitting old photographs or photographs used as an assignment in another class will earn a zero for the project. Appropriation of images, regardless of the source, is plagiarism (refer to Plagiarism Policy).

Plagiarism Policy It is crucial for students not to pass off the ideas or words of another as their own, to do so is considered theft and will be treated accordingly. When paraphrasing or quoting another source always use parenthetical citation to credit the source, and include all websites and/or books reviewed in the bibliography. In fairness to other students who worked hard on their essays and photographic projects, students caught plagiarizing will earn a zero for the project and may be subject to additional disciplinary actions by Amarillo College.

Grading Criteria

Grading Policy
Assessment is based on the following:
Attends lectures, labs, and demonstrations
Participates in in-class activities, discussion boards, and critiques
Demonstrates the ability to conduct research
Comes prepared for class, stays on task, and brings appropriate materials
Displays an understanding of the concepts discussed
Discusses ideas and asks questions
Writes in an academic style that is coherent and conveys an understanding of the topic
Utilizes the vocabulary of photography
Submits essays with sources cited, bibliographies included, and does not plagiarize the material of others
Presents projects on time and meets the requirements of each assignment

Grading Format / A-F 100-0 points

A = Excellent                            (100-90)

B = Good                                   (89-80)

C = Adequate                              (79-70)

D = Weak                                   (69-60)

F = Unacceptable                         (59-0)

 

Grading Criteria/Grade Scale

The course is graded on a 100 point scale and the percentages are as follows:

 

Lab Projects (5% each)                          15%

Research Paper                                    20%

Discussion Boards                                25%

Visual Response                                   15%

Quizzes & Exams                                  15%

In Class Participation                             10%

 

Refer to handouts for the requirements of each assignment.

Attendance

In order for students to complete this course successfully, it is necessary to attend the class and participate in exercises, discussions, and other activities scheduled each day. Because the instructor cannot possibly know the reason why a student missed class, there is no distinction between excused and unexcused absences. Material covered in class cannot be “made-up” and students should expect to do poorly on test questions and exercises related to topics discussed on missed days. It is recommended that students get class notes from other students for any missed classes. In order to be fair to students that do attend classes, the instructor cannot copy course notes or provide private tutoring sessions to individual students who miss class. It is not necessary to contact the instructor regarding absences, or to ask permission.

Calendar

Additional Information

Additional course material is available through AC Connect (Blackboard)